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Old 01-04-2010, 12:47 AM
strelnik strelnik is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SE Mich
Posts: 3,285
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbinnashville View Post
Hey everyone,

I tried searching to find the specific answer to my question before posting, but I didn't seem to find it...

I'm in Nashville, TN and our temps are getting down to between 6F-12F overnight this week. I couldn't get her to start this morning, and she had been sitting cold for two days and it's stayed in the 20s during the day lately. How long should I keep her plugged in for? Is it something I just need to do an hour or so before I leave in the mornings, or should she stay plugged up overnight? Thanks!

RF
I'm a little surprised the car didn't start, so let me ask this:

1. Did you consider running the glow cycle twice?
2. Have the valves been adjusted within the past year?
3. Is the battery well charged?
4. Do you use synthetic oil? Also significant.

Valve adjustment seems absolutely essential for good starting in cold weather. All my past problems have dealt with that.

I have a functioning block heater and use it only when the temp gets close to 0 degrees. I let it run for about two hours before starting and the car starts well, without needing to use the idle increase. I do crank it up a little after it starts, to warm it faster so the car is toasty warm when I get in, to drive. Plus the trans will also be warmed up.

Hope this helps. My car is not garaged over night so being out in the cold
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Strelnik
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1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
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